ROCKY GAP -- Every now and then a game comes along after a contending team has suffered an important, emotional defeat, a game where a lesser opponent can sneak up and steal a win, capitalizing on the inevitable lull that comes immediately following an intense battle and, in effect, turning the emotional loss into two defeats. Monday was not one of those games. Despite a spirited start

A couple is receiving shelter assistance from the American Red Cross after their home was completely destroyed in a fire on Jan. 2, according to Galax Fire Chief David Hankley.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw the two-story, 100-year-old farmhouse was engulfed in flames. Fire was through the roof when the first floor collapsed, and the crew battled the fire for more than two hours.

The home's occupants, Emorey Kelley and his wife, escaped unharmed. The house is owned by John Porter.

ROANOKE — Richard Donald Hawes’ fifth bank robbery worked out no better than the first four.

In August, he’d approached a teller at Grayson National Bank in Hillsville. Wearing overalls, gloves, sunglasses and a ball cap, and with a bandanna pulled up over his face, Hawes held out a plastic bag and said, “No dye packs, no dye packs,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Jacobsen said.

The City of Galax has begun looking at possible funding opportunities to allow Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co. to expand its facility at 300 E. Grayson St., City Manager Keith Barker announced during last month's city council meeting, but this would require abandoning a portion of Railroad Avenue and Depot Street, between East Grayson and East Oldtown streets, and relocating utilities.

Vaughan-Bassett representatives said they plan to expand to make the plant more efficient, which would allow the company to maintain existing jobs.